§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Minister of Health whether the additional benefits certified as payable under the recent valuations of Approved Societies are to be limited to those members who were members prior to the 31st December, 1918, or to be payable to all existing members; if so, whether such limitation, by creating two different benefits for existing members, will lead to difficulty and confusion in the management; and what power is there for such limitation?
§ Dr. ADDISONUnder Section 15 (2) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1920, additional benefits provided by an Approved Society out of any surplus disclosed on a valuation cannot (except as otherwise prescribed) be distributed among persons who were not members of the society on the date as at which the valuation was made (31st December, 1918). Regulations have been made extending the right to additional benefits to persons who were insured on 31st December, 1918, and joined a society on or before 5th July, 1920. It would not be possible actuarially to give this right to an unknown number of persons who might join a society while the scheme of additional benefits is in operation. Such persons did not contribute towards the surplus out of which the benefits are provided, and do not bring to the society more than is required to cover the estimated cost of the normal benefits. The books of every society will show clearly which members are entitled to additional benefits, and I see no reason why any confusion should arise.